Hot on the heels of launch the all-new Range Rover – the world’s best luxury SUV – the British brand will be rolling out some interesting technology at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Huge interest centres on Land Rover’s new, world-first nine-speed automatic transmission.
Developed in conjunction with gearbox specialist ZF, the new nine-speeder is configured for transverse applications and of course the narrower spread between ratios delivers better acceleration, smoother shifts and perhaps most importantly, improved fuel consumption.
Called the 9HP, the new transmission is also of great interest for those who tow or serious off-roaders with the lowest ratio far lower than say a six-speed transmission.
As well, while conventional six-speeders shift sequentially when down-changing, the 9HP can skip gears.
ZF says shifts are so smooth and rapid they are virtually imperceptible.
The new nine-speed auto is slated for production at ZF’s North American plant in South Carolina but so far no details have been released on the first vehicle to showcase this brilliant new technology.
Also headlining Land Rover’s Geneva display are seven new electric Defender models.
Power comes from a 70kW/330Nm electric motor with a 300-volt lithium-ion battery. Land Rover says the zero-emissions Defender has a range of 80kms but in low-speed off-road conditions a life between re-charges may be up to eight hours.
A conventional 7kW fast charge replenishes the battery in four hours or a lower-power 3kW charger takes 10 hours.
The Electric Land Rover Defender is 100kgs heavier than a conventional Defender and the 410kg battery is mounted under the bonnet in place of the regular diesel engine. Some weight is saved thanks to dispensing with the usual liquid cooling system – Land Rover uses air cooling for the electric motor and battery systems.
Drive is direct with a single-speed 2.7:1 reduction gearbox and the existing Land Rover Defender four-wheel-drive system.
Currently there are no plans for mass production of the Electric Land Rover Defender – the seven vehicles displayed in Geneva are earmarked for specialist assignments.
